More than 50 families flocked to the Parkes Fire Station for the annual open day last Saturday.
Deputy Captain Cody Venaglia said the event was hugely popular. While the kids got to check out the equipment, sit in the truck and even spray the hose, the parents were targeted to make them aware of fire safety.
Cody estimated that Parkes fire crews attend around 160 fires each year. While fire fighting is their most obvious activity, they also have specialty training in HAZMAT chemical spills, and rescue services for road accidents.
Cody admits they’ve even rescued cats from trees. “Once we arrived to rescue a cat from a tree, but when we got next to it, the cat jumped over to the tree next to it and ran down the trunk.”
He said they also rescued a Dalmatian puppy once, it had got its head stuck in a recliner. “That one was pretty memorable because of the association Dalmatian’s have with fire stations.”
The open days are scheduled to coincide with winter approaching and a lot of heating-related fires. “Fires start because of chimneys getting too dirty, or people putting a clothes horse in front of the heater,” Cody said.
His strongest words of advice was to “keep looking when you’re cooking, and don’t leave food unattended on the stove.”
By Raen Fraser